Saudi Arabia has become a new favorite destination for Indian travelers, with the number of visitors from India expected to double in 2023, according to major players in India’s tourism industry. In the past two years, India has emerged as Saudi Arabia’s key tourism source market, and the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) anticipates that India will become its largest source of tourism in the next few years, as travel destinations in the Kingdom develop as part of Vision 2030.
As the STA’s February campaign concluded this week, it announced it was seeking to “welcome more than 2 million Indian visitors” in 2023. “India is a key source market for Saudi,” the STA said in a statement.
“As part of Saudi’s ambition to achieve 100 million visits annually by 2030, India represents immense potential as it is expected to be one of Saudi’s largest tourism source markets by then.”
The ongoing creation of new destinations for travelers will help the mission succeed. “Everyone is looking at new destinations and experiences,” Mayal added. “People are always looking to explore new destinations. Tourism is all about experiences. You need to create new experiences and Saudis are doing this.”
Rajeev Saxena, president of the Tourism Guild of Agra, welcomed the promotion of Saudi Arabia in India as a “positive development” for the hospitality sector.
To promote tourism in the Kingdom, the STA organized a series of promotional programs in India throughout February. These included a successful roadshow and participation in travel and trade events across the country. The STA also signed a partnership agreement with the Indian Premier League, the world’s most-watched T20 cricket franchise, to tap into the nation’s strong sports fanbase.
The partnership with the Indian Premier League will help the STA to showcase Saudi Arabia’s tourism potential and create more awareness among Indians about the Kingdom’s diverse travel destinations. This will not only benefit the Saudi economy but also provide Indian travelers with a unique experience of the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.
According to tourism experts, Saudi Arabia’s diverse offerings, ranging from heritage sites to natural wonders, have become a significant attraction for Indian travelers. With the development of new tourist destinations and infrastructure, Saudi Arabia is expected to emerge as a major player in the global tourism industry, attracting travelers from all over the world.
As part of its Vision 2030, the Kingdom is investing heavily in its tourism industry to boost economic growth and diversify its economy. The development of new tourism projects, such as the Red Sea Project, Amaala, and NEOM, is expected to provide a major boost to the industry, creating thousands of new jobs and attracting millions of visitors annually.
Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a new destination for Indian travelers is a significant development for the Kingdom’s tourism industry. With the Saudi Tourism Authority’s aggressive promotion campaigns in India and the development of new tourist destinations, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a major player in the global tourism industry, attracting travelers from all over the world.
